Downsize and Profit

Treasure in the Bottom Drawer

One day in 1999 I found my dad cleaning out one of the bottom drawers of an old chest. He pulled out and was about to throw away 12 paper placemats from The Mickey Mantle Motel in Joplin, Mo. There were also 2 postcards he sent Mom and me while he was on a trip to Joplin in 1960. The postcards were of Mickey in batting stance and of his Holiday Inn Motel that had his name. Instead of letting him trash these items, I put them on ebay. At the end of the ebay auction, two Mickey Mantle memorabilla collectors bid them up to over $1400. We were shocked. As I prepared to mail the 12 paper placemats with the two postcards to the highest bidder, I noticed that there were actually 16 paper placemats (all cupped together like new). I wrote to the two bidders and told them I found 4 more placemats. The bidder who did not win immediately wrote me and said he'd give me $200 for the 4. Imagine that!!! $1600 for objects that nearly ended up in Daddy's trashcan.

Amazing What You Have in the Closet

A few years ago I told my friend Kay that I had sold several Steiff Bears on ebay. Steiff Bears are the classic and most expensive teddy bears of all. Kay went to her bedroom and pulled out an old plastic Wal-mart sack from the top of her closet. In it was a bear she had inherited from her aunt and had stored for many years. I took one look and KNEW it was a treasure. I told her I could put it on ebay and thought she could get at least $4,000 for it. Turns out that it was a 1907 Steiff, one of the first ones made. I contacted several international antique teddy bear dealers and let it be known that this rare find was going on ebay.

On the last day of my ebay auction, we all gathered to see what the final bid would be. Several bidders got into a bidding war in the last few minutes but The Old Bear Company of England prevailed with a bid over $8,000. Kay and her family were astounded. This precious treasure could have sat on that shelf 20 more years with them never knowing its value.

I don't know if you have any $8,000 bears hanging around your place, but take a look around. Maybe you have a priceless painting or ring that was Grandmom's but you think its just an old piece of junk.

Contact me at jeweltudor@live.com and let me know what items you would like to sell, and I will list them on this page.

Downsize and Profit

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Loved it but gave it up to downsize.

Another picture I loved but didn't need.